Hmmm, interesting. It was funny about Clarkson's assessment. If only the STi looked better it would be such a total package car.
Yeah, the SST(flappy padel dual clutch gearbox) slowed the launch of the Evo X enough that its better handling could not make up the difference. Over 2 laps I bet the Evo would have been faster. It was quite funny how Clarkson reacted to the times on the show. 1.28.2 for the STI and 1.28.22 for the FQ300 SST equipped Evo X.
I'm not quite up to snuff on my Evo lingo, but I believe they just used the standard Evo X for the road comparison so that the Evo wouldn't have the advantage of the 30 extra hp. Sorry if that's what FQ300 SST means, I just wanted to make sure you didn't think they were still comparing the two models they did at the beginning of the segment.
The base Evo X makes the same power in the UK as here, about 290hp. So to have 300 it would be the FQ300 which I do believe they make. If not, then I am just wrong and its not an FQ300 and just a normal Evo X MR. The other car they had was an FQ360. That car they did no use because of the power difference. They still used an Evo X MR with the SST tranny as the Evo X does not have a normal manual 6 speed.
I found an interesting post at another forum i visit, which is Legacygt.com Camber stated "Funny thing about the review is that the '08 UK spec STI they drove had on our smaller '07 STI wheel and tire package. It still was able to pip the EVO X when they had to lap the track. I wonder how the STI would have faired, with a better tire/wheel package." I feel like the new STi (...with its appearance aside) could fare a lot better with just small tweaks compared to the brand new EVO which modifications might be harder to do/install/create.
I was just gonna post that. you can see the entire show here http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/Television/Top_Gear/83469/S11E2.html?aid=105359 its still in parts but.. ya get it. happy the suby won but it was pretty sad to see the evo run circles around it.
as much as I hate seeing a subaru lose to a Mitsu... it makes me laugh to see top speed rip apart the new STi. I don't like that car. I hope someone at Subaru wakes up and makes some changes...